ADJECTIVES AND COMPLEMENTS

Adjectives

a. Add to the meaning of a noun or a pronoun

b. Can be articles like a an and the, or show possession such as your, his, my, their, our, or its
c. Tell us more about the noun or pronoun, for instance that, what, those, or these, or be interrogative, what,
where, or why

d. Some modify by comparing, richer, whole or ideal impossible

e. Others are indefinite and include all, many, few, some, or several
f. Also, some give physical descriptions like big, old or brown
g. Others consist of beautiful, Burmese and advertising
Adjective Complement
Clause or phrase that adds to the meaning of an adjective or modifies it, adjective complement always follows the
adjective it complements and it is a noun clause or a prepositional phrase
a. Noun clause - contains a subject and a verb. It can be used to complement a subject or adjective. It
frequently begins with that, which, who, whom, whose, when, where, or whether.
i.e. I am nervous that they will know my darkest secret.

b. Prepositional phrase starts with a preposition (such as in, to, with, by, of, for, from, about, etc.) and
modifies the adjective
i.e. She is happy with her life.

Subject Complement
Subject complements can be one or more words. They come after a linking verb, like: am, is, are, was,
become, seem, grow, taste, smell, appear, look, and feel.
Examples are:
1
2
3

Whales are beautiful.

She is the star.
The food smells delicious.

Object Complement
Object complements can also be one or more words. They follow a direct object and modify it. They will
describe the object or rename it. It can be a noun, an adjective, or a group of words that act like a noun or
adjective.
Examples are:
That should keep them happy.
I knight you Sir Peter.
The students were excited.
Test Yourself!

Identify each underlined words as Noun Clause or Prepositional Phrase:

_________________ 1. She was hesitant to tell her parents.
_________________ 2. The boss was anxious to promote sales.

_________________ 3. Are you afraid of spiders?

_________________ 4. We were shocked by the news.
_________________ 5. I was delighted that she was chosen.
_________________ 6. He is likely to be nominated.
_________________ 7. The child was eager for Christmas to arrive.
_________________ 8. I am curious what color it is.
_________________ 9. It was wrong of her to go.
_________________ 10. I am happy they got married.
Identify each underlined words Subject and Object Complement:
_________________ 1. My puppy is very mischievous.
_________________ 2. The patient appears dehydrated and feverish.
_________________ 3. The apple pie you made tastes sour.
_________________ 4. My grandmother was rather forward thinking.
_________________ 5. The British are fond of fish and chips.
_________________ 6. The little girl painted her bedroom bright pink.
_________________ 7. The preschoolers are coloring the trees purple and blue.
_________________ 8. The jury declared the defendant guilty.
_________________ 9. We voted her entry most original.
_________________ 10.Studying grammar makes me happy.